National security is one of the key policy areas that should be carefully examined and redefined in order to more inclusively and effectively protect human rights, especially women’s rights. National security is also a highly politicized and romanticized notion, which inspires nationalist-masculinist rhetoric and justifies gender inequality, gender-based violence, and patriarchal conditioning of men as aggressors. The aim of this year’s forum “Through Women’s Eyes” is, therefore, to examine, challenge, and analyze the current dominant conceptions of national security and promote reformulation of this concept centering on human security, paying specific attention to gender-based vulnerabilities.

At the 2008 forum, participants discussed the status of women’s human rights in Mongolia.
The strengths and weaknesses of the current development of the women’s movement in Mongolia were assessed. Participants also defined a common vision, strategic goals and policy objectives in order to determine a strategic plan of action for the women’s movement in Mongolia.
These policy objectives were presented to 2008 parliamentary election candidates and used by women candidates in their campaigns.

At the 2007 forum, participants analysed the status of ethics and accountability in the different spheres of Mongolian society. They focussed specifically on welfare policy implementation, public administration, police and media. Participants also exchanged views on gender and trade policies, human security and women’s movement.

The first annual forum “Through Women’s Eyes, With Women’s Power” was held in March 2006. At the 2006 forum, participants gave their assessment of Mongolia’s political, economic and social status. Participants focussed specifically on distortions of the political system, flaws in the governance structure and economic development, human rights mechanisms and civil society development.